Electrical switch having a pivotable and rotatable blade and switch operating mechanism therefor



Jan. 17, 1967 J. H. MYERS 3,299,230

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A PIVOTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Octv 9, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I I A INVENTOR.

Jan. 17, 1967 J. H. MYERS 3,299,230

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A PIVOTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Oct. 9, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet :3

INVENTOR.

Jan. 17, 1967 J. H. MYERS 3,299,230

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A PIVOTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR 6 SheetsSheet :5

Filed Oct. 9, 1964 INVENTOR.

Jan. 17, 1967 J H MYERS 3,299,230

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A 1 IVOTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 9. 1964 INVENTOR, Q/alu 0144? D yg-zs Jan. 17, 1967 J. H. MYERS 3,

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A PIVOTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR 6 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed Oct. 9, 1964 44w A wAZP Jan. 17, 1967 i ms 3,299,230

ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING OTABLE AND ROTATABLE BLADE AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 9, 1964 INVENTOR. 4 44am Mazs 247E gill;

3,299,230 ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A PIVUTABEE AND ROTATAIELE BLADE AND SWITCH SPER- ATHNG MECHANHSM THEREEUR John Howard Myers, Guelph, Untario, Canada, assignor to James R. Kearney Corporation of Canada, Limited, Guelph, Ontario, tCanada Filed Get. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 402,748 16 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-48) This application is a continuation-in-part of my now abandoned application Serial No. 255,858, filed February 4, 1963.

This invention relates to electrical switches, particularly switches of the high voltage type. More specifically, this invention relates to new and useful switch operating mechanisms for use with a switch of the type comprising a blade member which is pivotably mounted for movement in a plane and which is rota-table about the longitudinal axis of the blade member.

Prior art types of high voltage switches commonly in use employ blade members in the form of hollow rods having flattened contact finger engaging portions at one or both ends thereof, depending on whether the blade members are pivoted for movement in a plane about one end or at the centre thereof respectively. The flattened end portions are wider in one direction and more narrow in the other direction than the spacing between the contact fingers into which the end portions are inserted, and in the past it has been common practice to provide means for rotating the blade member about its longitudinal axis after the blade member has been positioned between the contact fingers by movement of the blade member about its pivot point from the open to the closed position of the switch. The aforementioned blade rotation is desirable because the flattened end portion of the blade member is rotated to a position such that it is perpendicular to the contact fingers, and being wider than the spacing between the contact fingers, the end portion forces the contact fingers apart against their natural resilience, and sometimes against the torce of springs acting against the contact fingers and urging them towards each other, thereby establishing good electrical contact between the blade member and the contact fingers. In addition, rotation of the blade member results in the flattened end portion wiping against the contact fingers and removing undesirable dirt and oxides therefrom.

In the past it has been common practice with such switches to rotate the blade members only about 30 or so from the position of the blade member when the switch is closed, so that there is very little clearance between the flattened end portions and the contact fingers when the end portions are moved into or withdrawn from the contact fingers. As such switches are primarily used outdoors and are exposed to icing conditions in many locales, the small clearance is a disadvantage, since, if the flattened end portions are closing into contact fingers with an ice accumulation, they must break the ice in compression, and ice is strongest in compression. Consequently a large force is required to be applied to break the ice and permit the flatened end portions to enter the space between the contact fingers. Such would not be the case if the blade member were rotated through 90. Under such conditions the flattened end portions could be inserted into or withdrawn from the contact fingers with the flat sides of the end portions parallel to the contact fingers, thus permitting maximum clearance between the contact fingers and the end portions. Upon rotation of the blade member through 90, any ice accumulation on the contact fingers would be broken in bending or tension, ice being easier to break under such conditions. Very little, if any, ice would have to be broken in compression durnited States Patent ice ing insertion of the end portions, because of the large clearance between the fiat sides of the end portions and the contact fingers.

Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide a simple switch operating mechanism and one which is capable of rotating a switch blade member about its longitudinal axis through Prior art types of switches of the aforementioned type generally have their greatest mechanical advantage in rotating their blade members about their longitudinal axes and a lower mechanical advantage in pivoting their blade members. It should be noted, however, that a high mechanical advantage should be present for pivoting in order to assist in breaking ice accumulation. In many cases a high mechanical advantage in pivoting could only be obtained at the expense of the mechanical advantage for rotating, and in some cases the degree of mechanical advantage which it is possible to obtain is limited by the geometry of the switch operating mechanism.

Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide a switch operating mechanism which is able to achieve a high mechanical advantage for both blade rotation and blade pivoting.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a switch operating mechanism having a mechanical advantage in both rotation and pivoting which can be readily varied. This feature is particularly important where switches having long blade members are employed.

A switch embodying this invention has a blade member which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof and also which is pivotable in a first plane. A switch operating mechanism is provided for selectively and sequentially pivoting the blade member in the first plane and rotating the blade member about its longitudinal axis. The switch operating mechanism includes a first crank member and means for rotating the same about a first axis from a first position through a second position to a third position. A rotatable member is carried by the first crank member and is rotatable about a second axis spaced from the first axis. At least one arm is connected to the rotatable member at a point spaced from the second axis and also is connected to the blade member. Means are provided for holding the rotatable member against rotation about the second axis during movement of the first crank member from the first to the second position and for rotating the rotatable member about the second axis during rotation of the first crank member between the second and third positions, whereby rotation of the first crank member between the first and second positions thereof is translated by the rotatable member and arm into pivoting of the blade member in the first plane, and rotation of the first crank member between the second and third positions thereof is translated by the rotatable member and arm into rotation of the blade member about its longitudinal axis.

Switches embodying my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 are side elevations of a switch embodying my invention in the open and closed positions respectively,

FIGURES 3a and 3b are sections taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 showing the blade member in a nonrotated and a rotated position respectively,

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are top elevations of a part of the previously illustrated switch showing the switch in its three positions,

FIGURE 7 is a section taken through the switch operating mechanism for the previously illustrated switch,

FIGURE 8 is a line diagram showing the various positions of the aforementioned switch operating mechanism,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of another switch embodying this invention,

FIGURE 10 is a more detailed view of certain portions of the switch of FIGURE 9,

FIGURES l1 and 12 are perspective views showing details of the switch operating mechanism for the switch of FIGURE 9, and

FIGURES 13-16 inclusive are line diagrams showing the various positions of the switch operating mechanism of FIGURES 11 and 12.

Referring now to the FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown part of a rotatable insulator stack 10 on top of which is mounted a switch operating mechanism 11 embodying this invention. Also mounted on top of stack 10 beneath mechanism 11 is a housing 12 which is fixed in position by supports 13 which extend to and are securely fastened to a fixed insulator stack (not shown). Pivotably mounted on a pivot pin 14 is a yoke 15 having a blade member receiving cup 16. One end of a hollow, tubular blade member 17 extends into cup 16, and blade member 17 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis in cup 16. Obviously blade member 17 is movable in a vertical plane about pivot pin 14.

Extending through and secured to insulator stack 10 is a vertical shaft 18 which, along with insulator stack 10, may be rotated by any suitable means such as a lever fixed thereto, as is known in the art. Shaft 18 is secured to a hollow crank 19 which is rotatable in a horizontal plane. A vertical, rotatable shaft 20 (FIGURE 7) is positioned remote from shaft 18 and is carried by crank 19. Fixed to shaft 20 is a crank 21 having rotatable crank arms 22 and 23 extending on opposite sides of shaft 20. Two arms 24 and 25 are provided, arm 24 being pivotably connected to crank arm 22 by a pivot pin 26 (FIGURE 4) positioned remote from shaft 20, and arm 25 being pivotably connected to crank arm 23 by a pivot pin 26a (FIGURE 4) also positioned remote from shaft 20, pins 26 and 26a being perpendicular to the axes of rotation of arms 22 and 23 respectively. As seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 4, arm 24 is made up of a rod 24a and links 24b and 240, while arm 25 is made up of a rod 25a and links 25b and 25c. Right and left-hand threads are provided at opposite ends of rods 24a and 25a, these ends screwing into links 2412, 24c, 25b and 25c, so as to permit arms 24 and 25 to be lengthened or shortened, depending upon which way rods 24a and 25a are rotated about their longitudinal axes. Lock nuts 26c are provided to lock rods 24a and 25a against rotational movement when such is not desired. A collar 27 is secured to blade member 17 and carries on opposite side thereof pins 28 which are rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of blade 17. Links 240 and 250, and hence arms 24 and 25, are pivotably connected to blade 17 by means of rotatable pins 28 and pivot 29, each of which has an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of pins 28.

As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 7, secured to a part of fixed housing 12 is a fixed member 30 having a cam slot 31 therein which terminates at one end in an enlarged opening or aperture 32 which forms a stop, as will be more apparent hereafter. Member 30 is positioned inside crank 19. Secured to shaft 20 inside crank 19 and rotatable in a horizontal plane is a crank 33. A link member 34 is pivotably connected by a vertical pivot pin 35 to crank 33, pivot pin 35 being remote from shaft 20. Thus, link member 34 is effectively or indirectly pivotably connected to crank 21 about a vertical axis remote from shaft 20. At the opposite end of link 34 there is a follower 36 which rides in cam slot 31.

The operation of a device embodying my invention is as follows. Crank 19 is rotatable by means of insulator stack 10 and shaft 18 from a first position in which the switch is open (FIGURES l and 4) through a second position and to a third position in which the switch is closed (FIGURES 2 and 6). During movement of crank 19 from its first position to its second position, blade member 17 is lifted in a vertical plane by arms 24 and 25, yoke 15 pivoting about pivot pin 14. During this movement of crank 19 there is no rotation of blade member 17 about its longitudinal axis, because follower 36 rides in cam slot 31 in fixed member 30, and, through link 34, maintains the orientation of crank 21 constant with respect to crank 19. Thus, during rotation of crank 19 from its first position to its second position, blade member 17 is raised from a nearly horizontal switch open position to a position such that flattened end surfaces 17a of blade member 17 are moved between two spaced-apart contact fingers 50 and 51 (see FIGURE 3). Since there is no rotation of blade member 17 about its longitudinal axis during pivoting of the blade member from its first to its second position, flattened end surfaces 17a enter the space between the contact fingers 50 and 51 in .such a manner that the flattened end surfaces 17a are parallel to the contact fingers, as shown in FIGURE 3a, thus providing the maximum amount of clearance between flattened end surfaces 17a and the contact fingers.

When crank 19 reaches its second position (FIGURE 5), follower 36, the length of which is the same as the diameter of opening 32, is positioned in opening 32. Follower 36 engages the side walls of opening 32 which act as a stop. Link 34 can no longer follow the movement of crank 19, but it can pivot in opening 32. During movement of crank 19 from its second position to its third position (FIGURE 6), link 34 pivots in opening 32 using follower 36 as the pivot pin, thereby causing rotation of crank 33, shaft 20 and crank 21. Thus, during movement of crank 19 from its second position to its third position, the orientation of crank 21 with respect to crank 19 is altered. This results in longitudinal movement of arms 24 and 25, arm 25 being pushed, and arm 24 being pulled, the result of which is rotation of blade member 17 about its longitudinal axis.

In order to prevent any pivoting movement of blade member 17 about pivot pin 14 during movement of crank 19 from its second position to its third position, pivot pins 26 and 26a are offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of shaft 20 in such a manner that a straight line drawn through pivot pins 26 and 26a is offset with respect to the axis of shaft 20 on the side thereof adjacent shaft 18.

In FIGURE 8 there is shown the positions of various elements of the aforementioned switching mechanism embodying this invention in the first, second and third positions of the crank 19. The numeral 40 designates the centerline of crank 19 when it is in its first position and the switch is open (FIGURES 1 and 4). The numeral 41 designates the centerline of crank 19 when it is in its second position (FIGURE 5) while the numeral 42 indicates the centerline of crank 19 when it is in its third position and the switch is completely closed (FIGURES 2 and 6). It will be appreciated, of course, that suitable stop means (not shown) are provided to prevent rotation of crank 19 beyond centerline 42. In FIGURE 8 curved line 43 represents the locus of the longitudinal axis of shaft 20, while line 44 represents the locus of point A, point A being on the straight line joining pivot pins 26 and 26a and directly opposite shaft 20. It will be noted that line 44 is curved between centerlines 40 and 41, but beyond centerline 41 it is a straight line, due to the offset of point A (FIGURE 4). It will be noted that during movement of crank 19 from centerline 41 to centerline 42 blade member 17 rotates through about its longitudinal axis. Attention also is directed to the fact that when crank 19 is in its third position, switch operating mechanism 11 is in an over-toggled position, as a result of which blade member 17 is securely locked in position and able to resist a force, electromagnetic or otherwise, which would tend to open the switch.

In order to open the switch, insulator stack 10 and shaft 18 are rotated by any suitable means in the opposite direction to that required for closing the switch. As crank 19 moves from its third position to its second position, i.e. from centerline 42 to centerline 41, blade member 17 rotates 90 in the reverse direction about its longitudinal axis, and in this case arm 25 pulls and arm 24 pushes. When crank 19 rotates from its second position to its first position, i.e. from centerline 41 to centerline 40, blade member 17 is caused to pivot downwardly about pivot pin 14 until it reaches the position shown in FIGURE 1 where follower 36 engages the end of cam slot 31 remote from aperture 32 and precludes further downward movement of blade member 17. Additional stop means (not shown) may be provided to preclude movement of blade member 17 beyond centerline 40.

It should be noted that the forces exerted by mechanism 11 are closely in line with the motion of the respective parts. This is especially true when the greatest mechanical advantage is required, i.e. when the blade member enters or leaves the space between the contact fingers, and when the blade member is rotated about its longitudinal axis. Inherent in the mechanism is the ability to increase various dimensions of parts thereof to achieve a still higher mechanical advantage where a larger size switch is to be employed. For example, arms 24 and 25 could be lengthened and collar 27 placed further from pivot pin 14. In addition, there is a minimum number of external moving parts, and these parts can be Well spaced from each other, without limiting other features, to minimize the possibility of ice being able to freeze these parts solidly together. Since fixed member 39 and link 34 are positioned in crank 19, there is no possibility of these parts becoming fouled with snow or ice. In areas where icing is not a problem there would be no need to so protect these parts, and hence they would not have to be enclosed.

Positioned inside housing 12 is a counterbalance spring 60 (FIGURE 7) which is similar in construction to the mainspring of a watch. This spring is coupled to shaft 18, and energy is stored therein during downward movement of blade member 17 about pivot pin 14. This energy is released during closing of the switch and assists in the closing of the switch. It will be seen that spring 69 is protected from the weather and would be unaffected by icing conditions.

It will be appreciated that adjustments of mechanism 11 are both simple and direct. As aforementioned, rods 24a and 25:: have both right and left-hand threads. Adjusting both rods equally will permit variations to be effected in the relative positions of centerlines 40 and 41, while adjusting these rods unequally will permit the rotational positions assumed by blade member 17 to be altered. It should be noted that while it is preferable to employ two arms 24 and 25 so as to achieve good blade control, one of the rigid arms could be omitted. While arms 24 and 25 are shown as being rigid, this is not absolutely essential, and two chains or two cables could be employed, gravity being relied upon to move blade member 17 downwardly about pin 14.

While there has been described a vertical break switch in which the switch is closed when blade member 17 is in a nearly vertical position and open when blade member 17 is nearly horizontal, this could be reversed by altering the position of aperture 32, cam slot 31 and the contact fingers, of course, so that the switch would be open when blade member 17 was in a nearly vertical position and closed when blade member 17 was in a nearly horizontal position, as will be described hereinafter in detail. Furthermore, a switch embodying this invention can be mounted so that blade member 17 pivots about pin 14 in any plane, not only a vertical plane. Thus blade member 17 could be pivoted to move in a horizontal plane, while crank 19 was moving from its first to second position in a mutually perpendicular plane, namely the vertical plane.

It is possible to provide a double throw switch embodying this invention with very little modification. All that is required is an aperture 32a (shown dotted in FIG. UR E 6) at the end of cam slot 31 remote from aperture 32. Crank 19 then is rotatable from its first position to a fourth position on the side of its first position remote from its second and third positions. For such a double throw switch, when crank 19 was in its first position, flattened end surfaces 17a would be between and parallel to a pair of spaced apart contact fingers. Upon rotation of crank 19 to its fourth position, link 34 would be precluded from following crank 19 by virtue of the engagement of follower 3-6 in aperture 32a. Link 34 would pivot in aperture 32a, thereby moving crank 33 and shaft 20 and altering the orientation of crank 21 with respect to crank 19, the consequence of which would be rotation of blade member 17 about its longitudinal axis. In this manner the switch can be closed at both ends of the travel of blade member 17.

While the means which have been shown for achieving rotation of blade member 17 about its longitudinal axis are preferred, it should be noted that blade rotation may be achieved by other means such as gearing, slotted links and apparatus of the Geneva mechanism type.

The length of the arc travelled by crank 19 can be varied, as can the proportions of this arc during which blade pivoting and blade rotation take place.

While the feature of having pins 26 and 26a offset with respect to shaft 20 is very desirable, as this precludes pivoting of blade member 17 about pin 14 during rotation of crank 19 from its second to its third position, this is not an essential feature and probably would have to be dispensed with in a double throw switch where blade rotation is required at both ends of its arc of travel.

If desired, shaft 18 could be extended so that crank 19 could be positioned further away from housing 12. Shaft 20, crank 21 and arms 24 and 25 then could be positioned beneath crank 19. This is not a preferred design, however, as certain limitations are imposed on the arc of travel of crank 19.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention arms 24 and 25 are pivotably connected to blade member 17 between its pivoted and free ends as shown in the appended drawings. If desired, blade member 17 could be extended beyond pin 14 and arms 24 and 25 could be pivotably connected thereto adjacent the free end so provided.

The embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG- URES 9-12 is an embodiment in which the switch is closed when blade member 17 is in a horizontal position. The operating mechanism 11 of this embodiment is similar in nature to previously described operating mechanism but differs in several respects. The switch shown in FIGURES 9-12 also incorporates several features not previously described. Similar parts in both embodiments of the invention are designated by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGURES 912, positioned in housing 12 is a gear reduction unit 70 that advantageously has a ratio of 9:1. Shaft 18 of rotatable insulator stack 10 is the input shaft of unit 70, while a shaft 18a is the output shaft thereof.

The torque on rotating insulator stack 10 appears as a cantilever force at the top of the fixed stack. Since insulator stack 19 is on the input side of a 9:1 gear reducer unit, instead of on the output side, this cantilever force is reduced 1:9. The result is that a smaller and less expensive rotating stack may be employed. Furthermore lower forces result with less deflection and vibration of the main stack which supports blade member 17.

Housing 12 is secured to a fixed insulator stack 10a.

Clamped within housing 12 by a clamp 71 is a leaf spring 72 which performs the same function as spring 60 of FIGURE 7. At the free end of spring 72 there is fixed a yoke 73 that carries a pin 74. Link members 75 are connected to pin 74 and are pinned to crank arms 76 at 77a. Crank arms 76 are fixed to pivot pin 14 (FIGURE 1) of cup 16. During downward movement of blade member 17 energy is stored in leaf spring 72, this energy being used to assist in lifting blade member 17 during opening of the switch. Spring 72 applies force to blade member 17 in such a manner that the spring force exerted on the blade member follows a sine curve coinciding with the sine curve described by the weight of the blade member. Since a leaf spring is the most compact type of spring for energy storage, a minimum amount of space is required by spring 72. Furthermore leaf spring 72 does not require protection from the elements, including ice, since ice formations on the spring are stressed in tension, making possible immediate and easy fracture of the ice. The coincidence of the blade member weight curve (about pin 14) and the spring force of spring 72 result in uniform and complete counterbalancing throughout the vertical travel of blade member 17.

Clamped to housing 12 is a cable 77. Cable 77 may be electrically connected to blade member 17 in a number of different ways. For example, contacts like 58 and 51, and which have not been shown for the sake of simplicity, may be fixed to housing 12, and blade member 17 may be continued through cup 16 and flattened, as at 1712, to engage these contacts as blade member 17 is rotated to close the switch. The same type of system may be employed with the switch of FIGURE 1, if desired.

Contact fingers 50 and 51 are supported in vertically extending position on an insulator stack b. Connected to contact fingers 50 and 51 by lugs 78 is a grading ring 79, lugs 78 being welded to grading ring 79. A grading ring, as is well known, may be a hollow tube of electrically conductive material such as aluminum which may be formed in different sizes and shapes to suit different requirements. The function of a grading ring is to increase the capacitance at the line end of an insulator stack to create a better distribution of voltage over the insulator stack and lower the voltage gradients at the line end. A unique feature of the switch shown in FIGURE 9 is the use of grading ring 79 to carry line current. This, as seen in FIGURE 9, a cable 80 is connected to a terminal clamp 81 which, in turn, is securely fixed to grading ring 79, thus establishing a conductive path from contacts 50 and 51 to cable 80 via lugs 78, grading ring 79 and terminal clamp 81.

Fixed to housing 12 by bolts or the like is a bearing plate 82. The operating mechanism 11 is supported above bearing plate 82 and is housed in a rotatable, protective cover 83 which is secured to the main crank arm 84 of the operating mechanism by any suitable means.

Referring to FIGURES 11 and 12, main crank arm 84 is keyed or otherwise fixed to shaft 18a which projects through bearing plate 82. Projecting upwardly from main crank arm 84 adjacent shaft 18a is a cam 85 having a cam surface 86. i

Offset from shaft 18a is a pin 87 on which is rotatably mounted, at one end, a link member 88. Depending downwardly from link member 88 is a roller 89 that engages cam surface 86 as main crank arm 84 rotates through a part of the are described thereby during operation of mechanism 11.

Supported above main crank arm 84 at the end thereof remote from shaft 18a is a plate 90. Shaft is journalled in and extends through plate 90 and main crank arm 84, shaft 20 being suitably stepped so that it rests on main crank arm 84. Crank 33 is fixed to shaft 20 below main crank arm 84. Crank 33 is pinned to link member 34 at 35, and the opposite end 36 of link member 34 is constrained to move in arcuate slot 31 in bearing plate 82, but end 36, unlike follower 36 of FIGURES 46, is pivotable in slot 31.

Secured to shaft 20 is a yoke 91 which is pinned at 92 to a link 93, which, turn, is pinned at 94 to link mem- 8 ber 88. Shaft 20 carries crank 21 which is connected to blade member 17 using the linkage hereinbefore described in connection with FIGURES 1, 2, and 4.

It should be noted that crank 21, crank 33 and yoke 91 are fixed in position with respect to each other. Crank 21 is at 30 to crank 33 and at 60 to yoke 91. Yoke 91 is at to crank 33. These angles are not critical and may be varied to suit different requirements.

Referring to FIGURES l316 for a description of the operation of mechanism 11, FIGURE 13 shows the position of components of mechanism 11 when the switch is closed and blade member 17 is in the position shown in FIGURE 9. When shaft 18a is rotated counterclockwise in FIGURE 13 such that main crank arm 84 rotates through 20, the components of operating mechanism 11 assume the position of FIGURE 14. Roller 89 rolling on and bearing against cam surface 86 prevents link member 88 from rotating during this initial 20 of rotation. Therefore crank 21, through movement of yoke 91 and link 93, is rotated 90. This in turn causes blade member 17 to be rotated through 90 by arms 24 and 25 in the same manner as has been previously described, but there is no lifting of blade member 17. Crank 33 also is rotated, and the end 36 of link 34 constrained to move in slot 31 moves from one end of the slot to the other.

During the next of the 174 of counterclockwise rotation of main crank arm 84 from the position thereof in FIGURE 14 to the position thereof in FIGURE 16, blade member 17 is lifted through 90 but is not rotated. Lifting of blade member 17 commences as soon as cam surface 86 advances beyond roller 89, thus freeing link member 88 for rotation. As shown in FIGURE 15, which illustrates the position of the components of operating mechanism 11 intermediate the positions thereof in FIG- URES 14 and 16, during rotation of main crank arm 84 from the position of FIGURE 14 to that of FIGURE 16, the orientation of crank 21 remains constant because of end 36 of link 34 being restrained at one end of slot 31. However, crank 21 moves progressively further from blade member 17 and therefore lifts it vertically through movement of arms 24 and 25. The last 4 of this 174 of rotation, as a result of which main crank arm 84 assumes the position of FIGURE 16, only locks the switch in open position by the over-toggling of mechanism 11 and does not result in any lifting of blade member 17.

In order to close the switch, shaft 18a is rotated clockwise by rotating insulator stack 10 in the appropriate direction. When the switch is being closed blade member 17 will be horizontal when the components of mechanism 11 are in the position of FIGURE 14 and will be rotated 90 to the position of the blade member shown in FIG- URE 9 during the last 20 of rotation of main crank arm 84 from FIGURE 14 to FIGURE 13.

With an operating mechanism of the type just described the speed of blade member 17 is low leaving and entering contacts 50 and 51. This is of importance insofar as avoiding impact on closing and over-stressing of components is concerned. After blade member 17 leaves contacts 50 and 51 its speed follows a sine curve, assuming constant force on stack 10, and drops off to zero at the end of its travel. Since the mechanical advantage is an inverse function of velocity, the maximum mechanical advantage exists at the start and completion of an operation. As aforementioned, it is desirable to have-a high mechanical advantage when opening or closing the switch so as to permit any ice which has accumulated to be broken readily.

By permitting main crank arm 84 to travel slightly beyond at both ends of its travel, a self-locking toggle action occurs in both positions. Thus blade member 17 is locked in the closed position against any tendency of short circuit forces to open it and also in the open position against any tendency of the wind to close it.

The operating mechanism makes the vertical motion of blade member 17 a completely separate and distinct action from blade rotation and is achieved without jerking. Because of this feature blade member 17 must move to a definite preadjusted position before rotating. This eliminates the tendency that is inherent in certain types of prior art mechanism to rotate the blade member too soon, as when striking ice, which could result in poor electrical contact.

While certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, alterations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a switch of the type having a blade member rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof and also pivotable in a first plane, a switch operating mechanism for selectively and sequentially pivoting said blade member in said first plane and rotating said blade member about said longitudinal axis, said switch operating mechanism comprising a first crank member; means for rotating said first crank member about a first axis from a first position through a second position to a third position; a rotatable member carried by said first crank member, said rotatable member being rotatable about a second axis spaced from and parallel to said first axis; at least one arm pivotally connected to said rotatable member at a point spaced from said second axis and also pivotally connected to said blade member; and means for holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position and for rotating said rotatable member about said second axis during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said first and second positions thereof is translated by said rotatable member and said arm into pivoting of said blade member in said first plan-e and rotation of said first crank member between said second and third positions thereof is translated by said rotatable member and said arm into rotation of said blade member about said longitudinal axis.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein there are two of said arms, said arms being connected to said rotatable member on opposite sides of said second axis and to said blade member on opposite sides thereof.

3. The invention according to claim 2 including means for altering the length of said arms.

4. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said arms are connected to said rotatable member and said blade member by universal joints.

5. In combination with a switch of the type having a blade member rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof and also pivotable in a first plane, a switch operating mechanism for selectively and sequentially pivoting said blade member in said first plane and rotating said blade member about said longitudinal axis, said switch operating mechanism comprising a first crank member; means for rotating said first crank member about a first axis from a first position through a second position to a third position; a rotatable member carried by said first crank member, said rotatable member being rotatable about a second axis spaced from and parallel to said first axis; t-wo rigid arms; first connecting means connecting said arms to said rotatable member on opposite sides of said second axis, said first connecting means comprising first and second rotatable means rotatably connected to said rotatable member on opposite sides thereof respectively for rotation about a third axis perpendicular to said second axis, and means pivotably connecting said arms to different ones of said rotatable means for pivoting of said arms about fourth axes perpendicular to said third axis, a straight line drawn through said fourth axes when said fourth axes are parallel to said second axis being laterally offset with respect to said second axis; universal connecting means connecting said arms to said blade member on opposite sides thereof; and means for holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position and for rotating said rotatable member about said second axis during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said first and second positions thereof is translated by said rotatable member and said arms into pivoting of said blade member in said first plane and rotation of said first crank member between said second and third positions thereof is translated by said rotatable member and said arms into rotation of said blade member about said longitudinal axis.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position and for rotating said rotatable member about said second axis during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position comprise a member fixed relative to said first crank member and having an arcuate slot therein; a link member; follower means on said link member, said follower means being constrained to move in said arcuate slot without pivoting; means pivotably connecting said link member to said rotatable member at a point spaced from said follower means and said second axis for pivoting of said link member about an axis parallel to said second axis; and means freeing said follower means for pivoting of said link member at said follower means at a predetermined position in said arcuate slot; said follower means riding in said arcuate slot during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position and through said link member holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said first and second positions thereof is translated by said link member, said rotatable member and said arm into pivoting of said blade member in said first plane; said follower means being at said predetermined position in said arcuate slot when said first crank member is between said second and third .positions, said link member pivoting at said follower means in said arcuate slot during movement of said first crank member from said second position to said third position and thereby rotating said rotatable member about said second axis, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said second and third positions thereof is translated by said link member, said rotatable member and said arm into rotation of said blade member about said longitudinal axis.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said first plane is a vertical plane, said first and second axis are vertical axes and said first crank member and said link member move in horizontal planes.

3. The invention according to claim 7 wherein there are two of said arms, said arms being connected to said rotatable member on opposite sides thereof, and wherein said arms are connected to said rotatable member and said blade member by universal joints.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said first crank member include a gear reduction unit having an input shaft and an output shaft, and rneans connecting said out-put haft to said first crank member to rotate said first crank member about said first axis.

19. The invention according to claim 1 including a leaf spring, said leaf spring having an end positioned for deflection by said blade member during movement thereof in one direction in said first plane, whereby energy is stored in said leaf spring for release during movement of said blade member in the opposite direction.

11. The invention according to claim 1 including contact fingers positioned remote from said switch operating mechanism, said blade member being adapted to make electrical connection with said contact fingers in said third position of said blade member; an electrically conductive cable; and means electrically connecting said cable to said contact fingers, said last-mentioned means including a grading ring in the form of a hollow electriccally conductive tube.

12. The invention according to claim 1 including a leaf spring, said leaf spring having an end positioned for deflection by said blade member during movement thereof in one direction in said first plane, whereby energy is stored in said leaf spring for release during movement of said blade member in the opposite direction; contact fingers positioned remote from said switch operating mechanism, said blade member being adapted to make electrical connection with said contact fingers in said third position of said blade member; an electrically conductive cable; and means electrically connecting said cable to said contact fingers, said last-mentioned means including a grading ring in the form of a hollow electrically conductive tube; and wherein said means for rotating said first crank member include a gear reduction unit having an input shaft and an output shaft, and means connecting said output shaft to said first crank member to rotate said first crank member about said first axis.

13. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member from said first position to said second position and for rotating said rotatable member about said second axis during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position comprise a member fixed relative to said first crank member and having an arcuate slot therein; a first link member; follower means on said first link member, said follower means being constrained to move in but being pivotable in said arcuate slot; means pivotably connecting said first link member to said rotatable member at a point spaced from said follower means and said second axis for piv oting of said first link member about an axis parallel to said second axis; a second link member; means mounting said second link member for pivoting about a third axis parallel to but spaced from and fixed with respect to said first axis and also parallel to said second axis; a third link member; means pivotably connecting said third link member to said second link member for pivoting about an axis parallel to but spaced from said third axis; means pivotably connecting said third link member to said rotatable member at a point spaced from said second axis for pivoting of said third link member about another axis parallel to but spaced from said second axis; a cam member on said first crank member; a cam follower on said second link member; said cam follower being engageable with said cam member during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position thereof and said follower means being movable in said arcuate slot during rotation of said first crank member from said second position to said third position thereof, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said second and third positions thereof is translated by said second and third link rnemebrs, said rotatable member and said arm into rotation of said blade member about said longitudinal axis; said follower means being restrained at one end of said arcuate slot and said cam follower being disengaged from said cam member between said first and second positions of said first crank member, whereby rotation of said first crank member between said first and second positions thereof is translated by said first link member, said rotatable member and said arm into pivoting of said blade member in said first plane, said first link member and said first crank member holding said rotatable member against rotation about said second axis during movement of said first crank member between said first position and said second position thereof.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said first plane is a vertical plane, said first axis is a vertical axis, and said first crank member and said link members move in horizontal planes.

15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein there are two of said arms, said arms being connected to said rotatable member on opposite sides of said second axis and to said blade member on opposite sides thereof, and wherein said arms are connected to said rotatable member and said blade member by universal joints.

16. The invention according to claim 15 including a leaf spring, said leaf spring having an end positioned for deflection by said blade member during movement thereof in one direction in said first plane, whereby energy is stored in said leaf spring for release during movement of said blade member in the opposite direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,560,998 11/1925 Koppitz 20048 2,818,474 12/1957 Gussow 20048 3,189,698 6/1965 Johnson 20048 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

H. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A SWITCH OF THE TYPE HAVING A BLADE MEMBER ROTATABLE ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF AND ALSO PIVOTABLE IN A FIRST PLANE, A SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVELY AND SEQUENTIALLY PIVOTING SAID BLADE MEMBER IN SAID FIRST PLANE AND ROTATING SAID BLADE MEMBER ABOUT SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS, SAID SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM COMPRISING A FIRST CRANK MEMBER; MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER ABOUT A FIRST AXIS FROM A FIRST POSITION THROUGH A SECOND POSITION TO A THIRD POSITION; A ROTATABLE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER, SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT A SECOND AXIS SPACED FROM AND PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST AXIS; AT LEAST ONE ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AT A POINT SPACED FROM SAID SECOND AXIS AND ALSO PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BLADE MEMBER; AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AGAINST ROTATION ABOUT SAID SECOND AXIS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION AND FOR ROTATING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER ABOUT SAID SECOND AXIS DURING ROTATION OF SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER FROM SAID SECOND POSITION TO SAID THIRD POSITION, WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS THEREOF IS TRANSLATED BY SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AND SAID ARM INTO PIVOTING OF SAID BLADE MEMBER IN SAID FIRST PLANE AND ROTATION OF SAID FIRST CRANK MEMBER BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD POSITIONS THEREOF IS TRANSLATED BY SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AND SAID ARM INTO ROTATION OF SAID BLADE MEMBER ABOUT SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS. 